Denham man arrested on 6th DWI after causing serious crash

A Denham Springs man has been arrested for his sixth DWI offense after state police say he caused a crash with severe injuries.

Lee Edward Easley, 29, of Denham Springs had received 5 DWI offenses before his most recent one allegedly caused a serious crash with injuries earlier this year.

It happened on February 1st when Easley was driving his 2013 Mazda 3, heading westbound on LA Hwy 1026 (Lockhart Road) just east of LA Hwy 16. Around the same time, 30-year-old Wayne Lafleur, Jr. of Greenwell Springs was driving a 2009 Chevrolet Silverado going eastbound on LA Hwy 1026.

According to TFC Jared Sandifer of the Louisiana State Police, Easley lost control of his vehicle and entered into the eastbound lane, meeting Lafleur's Silverado in a head-on collision. BOTH Easley and Lafleur were taken to Our Lady of the Lake Hospital with moderate to severe injuries.

Sandfer also disclosed that investigating Troopers suspected that Easley was driving under the influence at the time of the crash. Toxicology samples were taken by OLOL medical professionals and turned in later to the LSP Crime Lab.

Easley tested positive for several narcotics and officials discovered that he had five previous offenses before the February 1st crash.

Troopers then secured a warrant for Easley's arrest and charged him with DWI- 6th offense, reckless operation of a motor vehicle, 1st degree vehicular negligent injuring, and possession of schedule 1 narcotics (marijuana).

The Louisiana State Police released the following statement to the public:

Troopers wish to remind motorists that impaired driving and drugged driving continues to be a major problem throughout Louisiana. Whether impaired through alcohol, drugs, or a combination of the two, the consequences of driving while impaired remain the same. Troopers will actively enforce Louisiana's DWI laws across the state and will remain committed to a public education campaign to end impaired and drugged driving. Have a plan and designate a driver before you decide to operate a vehicle while impaired.